American Technologies Group
Mark Dallara posted documents from the Oregon Department of Justice
describing the products of American Technologies Group, a
Scientologist-led company specializing in "IE Crystals". Paul Engelking,
a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oregon states in his
affidavit:
"The existence of 'IE Crystals' around ions, as described by Dr. Lo, is
not supported by theory. One of Dr. Lo's calculations violates one of the
three fundamental laws of thermodynamics and one of the four fundamental
equations of electromagnetic theory. Dr. Lo did not use appropriate
controls in his experiments. Names of members of the board of directors
of American Technologies Group, Inc., and their institutional
affiliations, appear in Exhibit '1'. None of the people listed appears to
work in the field of physical chemistry, specifically in the relevant
areas of water or ionic solvation. There is no reason to believe the
training of these individuals in their fields of specialization would
necessarily allow them to see the contradictions within the literature
submitted to prove the existence of 'IE Crystals.'"
From an analysis by the Department of the claims for "The Force", an auto
efficiency device using IE Crystals:
"Every element of 'substantiation' submitted for the product claims is
inadequately described or fundamentally flawed, and/or actually
contradicts the claim in question. Specifically with reference to the
second notebook, it is possible that changing the air intake, by
throttling the engine back, could reduce emissions. The exhibits provided
do not appear to show anything else. Several contain inadequate
descriptions, or none at all, of the testing ostensibly performed. At
least two (Exhibits 11 and 15) contain findings that contradict the
product claims."
Message-ID: 3609109c.9426748@news.newsguy.com
Message-ID: 360a7827.35937100@news.newsguy.com
Cult Awareness Network
Scientology's Cult Awareness Network announced a way to donate to the
organization using phone cards.
"CAN has just received a big donation of phone cards which are
re-chargeable through one's credit card. And each time you put money on
the card you make a donation to CAN. The rate on the card is only 17
cents a minute, which is a great rate. (MCI and AT&T are 25 cents a
minute, Sprint 35 cents a minute). CAN will mail the card out to you at
no cost (the card is quite gorgeous with a first amendment motif). It has
two free minutes on the card, so you can try it out and see how easy it is
to use."
Message-ID: 35fe3e18.5809950@news.xs4all.nl
CCHR
Scientology's Citizen's Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) is distributing
literature in Hollywood blaming Psychiatry for the death of many
entertainers. From the Los Angeles Times:
"Nearly 235,000 members of the worldwide entertainment community have
received a recent mailing from a Church of Scientology-based group that
directly blames psychiatry and psychology practices for contributing to
the deaths of such artistic legends such as Ernest Hemingway, Billie
Holliday, Judy Garland, Vivian Leigh, Janis Joplin and John Lennon.
"Accompanied by a letter signed by 14 Hollywood types (and all Scientology
members), including actors Jenna Elfman, Anne Archer, Juliette Lewis,
Nancy Cartwright, Jason Lee and Jason Beghe, the publication, 'Harming
Artists: Psychiatry Manipulating Creativity', alleges that several
Hollywood tragedies came about because of the 'betrayal' of psychiatry or
psychology, described as 'an influence that left these artists dreadfully
damaged, their foundations of strength and certainty torn away.'"
From Mr. Showbiz:
"Forget about drugs and booze. The real problem plaguing Hollywood, at
least according to the Scientologists, are those dastardly and apparently
deadly psychiatrists and psychologists. Some of the topics covered in the
various essays in the publication include Marilyn Monroe: Killed by
Psychiatric Drugs ('This 'candle in the wind' was snuffed out by the
psychiatrists pretending to help her') and Kurt Cobain: Ritalin Harms
'Teen Spirit.' The missive adds that the 'family' of actors, directors,
and producers has been 'repeatedly ravaged,' and points to the recent
deaths of Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, producer Don Simpson, and INXS
frontman Michael Hutchence."
Message-ID: 6tvvak$426$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com
Message-ID: Pine.LNX.3.96.980919191649.150A-100000@darkstar.zippy
Earle Cooley
The Globe Staff published a column this week on Earle Cooley, a lawyer and
Scientologist who is also Chairman of the Board for Boston University.
"For over a decade, Cooley has zealously defended the interests of the
Church of Scientology, which a 1991 Time magazine cover story called 'a
hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and
critics in a Mafia-like manner.' Cooley says that his alliance with
Scientology has never colored his work for what was once one of America's
great Methodist institutions. But whenever Cooley and I discussed the
excesses committed by the church - the harassment of a journalist, for
instance - he said he had no knowledge of illegal activities. I contend
that Cooley is more than 'just' a lawyer for Scientology. I say he is
deeply allied with one of the great anti-intellectual movements of our
time, and his activities are wildly incompatible with his status as a top
official of a major American university."
Message-ID: rnewman-ya02408000R1609981121520001@enews.newsguy.com
Emmons Report
Mark Dallara posted portions of the Emmons Report this week, the result of
an investigation conducted by former Clearwater Police Lt. Ray Emmons.
"Some aspects of this report over periods of time and portions of the
investigation in which members of the U.S. Attorney's Office, The F.B.I.,
The Attorney General's Office of the State of Florida, The State
Attorney's Office in Pinellas County, The Sheriff's Office of Pinellas
County and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were contacted or
involved. The agencies mentioned above were involved in the investigation
with the Clearwater Police Department between 21 March 1983 and 28
February 1984.
"Many governments throughout this country have expressed an interest about
SCIENTOLOGY and its practices and these governments have launched local
inquiries into this organization. The conclusions of these independent
investigations have also been the same, an open investigation without a
definitive direction or purpose.
"The SCIENTOLOGY organization is a multi-faceted, extremely complex
organization, purposefully designed to encumber any one investigation
conducted on a local level. Added to this encumbrance is the fact
SCIENTOLOGY claims to be a religion and therefore, protected under the
provisions of the first amendment. The SCIENTOLOGY organization exploits
every opportunity to hide behind their so called religious status. This
posture is epitomized by a SCIENTOLOGY document entitled, Level O
Checklist. In the Level O Checklist, instructions are given to SCIENTOLOGY
members who are approached by medical doctors while these members are
attempting to employ SCIENTOLOGY methods and practices to patients in
hospitals and nursing homes. The Instructional Guide states the
SCIENTOLOGY member is to claim religious status when approached by a
medical doctor if the doctor is disturbed or displeased with the
SCIENTOLOGISTS administering medical treatment to the patient. If the
SCIENTOLOGY Member is arrested, a lawyer will be provided immediately and
a suit is to be instituted in excess of $100,000 against the doctor and
anyone else that it might be advantageous to sue for violating the
SCIENTOLOGIST'S first amendment rights in practicing religion on the
patient.
"The SCIENTOLOGY organization is a large, complex corporation with many,
many sub-corporations inclusive into its structure. Once again, this
corporation and sub-corporate designs were devised to hamper any
investigation into SCIENTOLOGY practices. A particular problem associated
with this organization and its many corporations, is the tracing and
tracking of financial flows of monies and credits. The organization has
many bank accounts throughout the world (mostly in European Banks) that
are virtually impossible to monitor without the aid of Federal assistance.
A local investigator or prosecutor in Florida does not have the
wherewithal to flow a financial investigation from beginning to end
because money transfers within SCIENTOLOGY are done on an interstate basis
and from Country to Country."
Message-ID: 3606bcc4.6713674@news.newsguy.com
Coalition Hoax
A letter from Dr. Nadeem Elyas was posted to a.r.s this week. Dr. Elyas
represents the Central Council of Moslems in Germany, which was cited by
Scientology as being part of a coalition to protest alleged discrimination
against Scientologists in Germany.
"The participation of Mr. Mohammed Herzog in the demonstration in
Frankfurt, his signature of the open letter and the establishment of a
'Interreligious Coalition for Religious Freedom' with Scientology occurred
with neither the knowledge nor the consent of the Central Council of
Moslems in Germany (ZMD). Such a connection with Scientology would not
have the support of the ZMD and is in outright opposition to its
principles and fundamentals.
"We are of the opinion that contact with this organization, which is under
observation for constitutionally hostile activities and the application of
humanly despicable methods in the acquiring and keeping of its members,
adulterates the face of Islam, strengthens the prejudice against its own
teachings and puts the ZMD into proximity with categories which are
hostile to the state and to the constitution. That does not serve the
interest of Islam or of the Moslems in Germany and is contrary to the
preamble of our charter. Neither the connection with Scientology nor the
membership in a interreligious coalition with it is compatible with
membership in the ZMD."
And communication from Ignatz Bubis of the Central Council of Jews in
Germany. Scientology claims the support of the Central Community of
Orthodox Jews in the coalition.
"There is no such community, in any case it consists of Mr. Eli Gampel,
who temporarily - by an improper election - was 'elected' as the chairman
of the Jewish Community Hall. Since then, Mr. Gampel has been replaced,
and has been charged with various counts of fraud by the Jewish Community
as well as by private complainants. I do not need to emphasize that the
Central Council of Jews in Germany does not want anything to do with
Scientology and does not view it as a religion at all."
Message-ID: 6tpqm0$gb1$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com
Germany
A summary of German press concerning Scientology this week. From Dei Welt:
"'Enjoy your Life. Every Day.' A trendsetter draws customers by using
large letters. However, not all calls to happiness are as harmless as the
advertisement itself. 'We are the only group on the planet that offers an
effective solution,' reads a slogan from Scientology.
"Hundreds of these groups bustle about the streets of Berlin. 'Supermarket
of Salvation' was the name of a presentation by St. Paul's Dominican
Cloister in Tiergarten which gave information about the groups, their
practices and the background of psychological dependency.
"It is mostly managers who have been sent to leadership seminars that
inform Father Funke about the numerous providers. 'Psycho[logical]-groups
are dangerous because they do not have a meaningful degree in a solid
discipline, and because their methods are not clear,' says the sect
commissioner. Most of them have the participant sign a contract that
releases the provider from the responsibility for 'bodily or psychological
harm.' A doctor committed suicide after one of these
psycho[logical]-seminars.
"To make things worse, the fear of Scientology has turned into paranoia.
There was the restaurant owner from Tiergarten about whom rumors suddenly
flowed that that he was a Scientologist. Even a kindergarten was said to
be aligned with the sect. 'Scientology has turned into an irrational
bogeyman,' said Funke. The accusation from often unknown sources is
responsible for most rumors. Whether it is the son who finally wants to
leave home or the competitor in a real estate business. Even the church
fathers are concerned about infiltration by a psycho-organization. The
fears, nevertheless, most often turn out to be unjustified."
From Nurnberger Zeitung:
"Some Nurnberg residents were shocked when a special edition of the
Scientology magazine 'Freiheit' [Freedom] was tossed in their mailboxes a
few weeks ago. Their irritation may possibly have grown when the DVU organ
'Deutsche Wochenzeitung' also fluttered into their houses this week
unsolicited. The postal service indicates that they are also obligated to
deliver this kind of publication.
"'No matter how much we would like, we can do nothing about it,' stated
postal speaker Gunther Schott. There is a 'general obligation to deliver'
which can only be superseded by the presence of a crime. Postal speak
Schott indicate in this matter that even the Interior Minister and the
police are powerless against the propaganda of sects and right extremists
as long as there is no restraining order against it. The postal service,
as performer of the service, may take no action on its own.
"While the 'Freiheit' could only be distributed to those households which
do not a 'no advertisement' decal on their mailboxes, the special edition
of the DVU newspaper was placed in all Nurnberg mailboxes."
From AP-Nachrichten:
"Members of the Scientology Organization are excluded from the police
union (GdP). On Thursday at their federal congress, the GdP became the
first union to make an incompatibility resolution. The approximately 250
delegates were unanimously in favor of improving the information work
being done on Scientology, and to more closely watch over the
organization. 'We would like to have the Scientology sect categorized as
constitutionally hostile,' said Norbert Spinrath, the new GdP chairman."
From Der Spiegel:
"The Scientologists are rather short of their alleged goal of obtaining
controlling positions in society. This is the conclusion arrived at -
according to a report by news magazine 'Der Spiegel' - by German federal
and state security in a report which is to be presented to the Interior
Ministry conference this fall.
"In the dossier, which is still being prepared, the security agents come
to the conclusion that the [Scientology] psycho-sect has not even gotten
their foot in the door of political parties. The state security agents
were only able to detect one sect member in the FDP and two in the CDU.
Neither was there any possibility of the systematic infiltration of the
German economy. Nationwide the number of Scientologists are 'significantly
under 10,000.'
"In addition to that, according to the findings of state security, the
sect is in a financial turmoil. Several of the district [Scientology]
organizations are carrying an enormous debt. The 'growing money shortage'
has even led to a cut in pay for staff members. Scientology denies major
commercial difficulties, 'We have a very sound financial policy: 'do not
spend more than you take in'.' According to the security agency's opinion,
OSA themselves, the alleged sect secret service acts more like a kind of
security guard 'and rather dilettantish at that.'"
Message-ID: 6ts3uk$1rq$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com
Message-ID: 6tup69$ts0$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com
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Message-ID: 6u2n0g$olf$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com
Grady Ward
Judge Fogel this week imposed a settlement agreement on Grady Ward, based
on his agreement in a settlement conference.
"Judgment shall be entered in favor of plaintiff, Religious Technology
Center, in the amount of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00). Pursuant
to plaintiff's complaint for nondischargeability filed December 9, 1997
and defendant's consent thereto, said judgment shall not be dischargeable
in bankruptcy and will not be affected by any bankruptcy now or in the
future. Plaintiff's motion to withdraw the reference of said complaint for
nondischargeability as well as defendant's counterclaim thereto from the
Bankruptcy Court shall be granted and defendant's counterclaim shall be
dismissed with prejudice.
"Plaintiff shall not take any steps to execute or collect upon said
judgment except as follows: Defendant shall pay to plaintiff the sum of
Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) forthwith upon receipt of, or if
subsequent to May 12, 1998 he has received, an advance from Robert Minton
with respect to a book about Scientology authored by defendant. Defendant
shall pay to plaintiff the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per month
commencing on the first day of the month following entry of said judgment
and on the first day of each month thereafter. Said obligation shall
continue for so long as defendant shall live but shall not survive
defendant's death or be a charge against defendant's estate or heirs."
From the Associated Press:
"An Arcata software developer accused of copyright violations for
publishing church materials on the Web has agreed to pay The Church of
Scientology $ 200 a month for life. If Ward defaults or violates any
copyrights, trademarks or trade secrets he must pay $ 3 million, according
to court documents."
From the San Jose Mercury News:
"In accordance with terms of the court-supervised settlement, Fogel
suspended the immediate payment of the $3 million, providing that in the
future, Ward does not defame officials of the church or distribute any of
Scientology's copyrighted teachings or trade secrets. Conditions of the
agreement also require Ward to pay $200 a month to RTC for the rest of his
life.
"'I am not a copyright infringer. I don't steal intellectual property of
any kind,' Ward said of the settlement. 'The Church of Scientology simply
beat me down. I finally agreed to settle rather than face a trial.' Warren
McShane, president of RTC, said Friday: 'We're very pleased. This sends
out a good message for all copyright owners that Internet anarchists are
not above the law.'"
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
"Church officials hailed the settlement as a victory against Internet
copyright piracy. 'Mr. Ward was never a member of our church,' said
church spokesman Warren McShane. 'This was an anarchist thing by someone
who believes that the Internet is above the law, and that state and
federal laws do not apply to it.'' Ward is accused of publishing some of
these confidential scriptures that 'you have to be spiritually mature to
see and understand,' McShane said. 'They are only shown to individual
parishioners when they have attained a certain spiritual state.'"
Grady posted his response to the action to a.r.s this week.
"My next step is to study it and compare it to the May 12 recitals and to
other federal rules. If there exist material differences then I will
certainly appeal. Of course note carefully that Judge Fogel specifically
mentions my constitutional rights and rights under 'fair use.' And also,
of course, there is no finding of liability against me under a theory of
copyright infringement or anything else. I don't see this agreement --
even if upheld -- affecting my work in exposing the nature of the criminal
cult of scientology. It is a respite from the relentless litigation. For
a pro per that has been in litigation with the cult for more than two
years, it is a relief."
Message-ID: 36019c8d.1925008@news.supernews.com
Message-ID: 3601a3b2.120298797@enews.newsguy.com
Message-ID: geoff.bronner-ya02408000R1809981711380001@news.dartmouth.edu
Message-ID: 36040622.1156067@typhoon02.rcsntx.swbell.net
Message-ID: 3603c9dd.35094008@nntp.ix.netcom.com
Lawrence Wollersheim
Lawrence Wollersheim posted to a.r.s this week to report continuing harassment
by Scientology's private investigators.
"I just got a call from my bank that someone was again trying to
impersonate me to obtain my confidential bank records. Scientology was so
dumb this time they had a woman trying to disguise her voice. The bank
even had to laugh at the mickey mouse operation. Then a PI stakes out my
house in such an obvious way as to tell all our neighbors that something
very weird is going on in a neighborhood. He got lucky and left before the
Security patrol arrived."
Message-ID: 35FDCD48.35E73297@cybertours.com
David Minkoff
The St. Petersburg Times published a report on Dr. David Minkoff's
settlement with the estate of Lisa McPherson.
"A Clearwater doctor who declared Scientologist Lisa McPherson dead when
she arrived at a New Port Richey hospital in December 1995 has paid her
estate $100,000 to settle his portion of a wrongful death suit McPherson's
family filed against the Church of Scientology and others. James Felman,
the Tampa lawyer who represents Dr. David Minkoff, said two medical
malpractice insurance companies paid the entire amount. 'It wasn't our
idea to settle,' Felman said. 'But given that the insurance company is
going to pay the money, it is a pittance compared to the millions and
millions they were asking for.'
"Ken Dandar, the Tampa lawyer who represents the McPherson estate,
declined to discuss details of the settlement. But he said he agreed to
accept Minkoff's offer because the doctor's involvement in her death was
based on false reports he received from others. 'He saw her after she was
dead, so he couldn't cause any damage to her,' Dandar said. 'Dr. Minkoff
was extremely nervous and anxious to settle this case.'
"McPherson has become the subject of World Wide Web sites where
Scientology critics have published autopsy pictures and copies of the care
notes taken by Scientologists in the days before she died. Critics also
picket Scientology centers all over the world with McPherson's picture and
accusations that Scientology killed her."
Message-ID: 35fe4430.49361232@news.newsguy.com
Picket/Revenge Picket
Jim Wissick reported a revenge picket at his parent's house this week.
"I am sorry to say the clams picketed my parents house yesterday. I do not
know the full details yet.. I have not lived there for years and my folx
have nothing to do with this dispute. Why the cult decides to harass the
innocent is clear. It's a shame they have to resort to the harassment of
my parents. Won't come to me personally, instead they act like cowards
and harass my parents."
From Ted Mayett in Las Vegas:
"Little org, 5pm, 30 min, vehicles 6. They did not close the curtains
today. Some of the present students have seen my sign for over a month
now. The price does not bother these people. Perhaps prices should be
raised in Vegas."
"Arrived at the little org at 11:45am. At 11:55am the vehicle count
doubled! I figure they had called for reinforcements. Uneventful, left at
12:20pm, the vehicle count was still at 2."
Stacy Young reported on revenge pickets against her family this week.
"Two of my sisters, the ones who live in Atlanta, Georgia, and Duluth,
Minnesota, have been picketed by Scientology in the last week. My sister
in Duluth told me that the flier they were trying to hand out in her
neighborhood said something like, 'Please tell Stacy to tell Bob Minton
that he should stop spending his money to hurt the Church of Scientology.'
My sister said the picketers couldn't get a single person to take one of
their fliers. The only person who did take one was my sister, who asked
for one so she could send it to me.
"My sister in Atlanta didn't even tell me her neighborhood had been
picketed until almost a week after it happened. She told me that when her
husband saw them picketing he went out and told the picketers it was
stupid of them to harass him, since he hasn't done anything to the Church
of Scientology and all they're doing is creating a new enemy for
themselves. Furthermore, he told them, he has no influence whatsoever over
what his sister-in-law does, so they're wasting their time trying to get
to me through him and my sister. My sister was embarrassed to have to tell
me that she slept through the entire incident, but she was very proud of
the way her husband dealt with the situation. He got the number of the
DSA, Diane Stein, from one of the picketers, and called her.
"My mother called me a week ago to tell me that at about 11:00 the night
before, her dog Woozel suddenly started barking frantically and ran
downstairs to the front door. When she got downstairs she found Woozel
snapping furiously at the mail slot in the front door, as though someone
were right outside. She quickly peeked out the window and saw what she
described as a very overweight woman, obviously frightened of Woozel's
snarling, doing her best to scurry away from the door. At the same time
Mother saw that the woman had pushed a fat envelope through the mail slot.
She was so angry, in fact, that she opened the front door and said, 'Go
get her, Woozel!' whereupon Woozel took off running after this poor,
misguided Scientology operative. She was able to get into her car and
speed away, tires squealing, in time to escape this grisly fate in the
jaws of my mother's dog Woozel.
"Jesse's spoken to his family and apparently they're being harassed by
Scientology, and Bob just heard yesterday that his former partner in
London is being picketed for the past several days. When I got to one of
the Boston area's ARSCC underground hideouts last night, I called Jesse.
He said four Scientologists picketed the sanctuary all afternoon
yesterday, trying to pass out fliers about Bob and me but unable to find
any takers. Jesse said he went out and spoke to them for quite a while and
they were apparently very interested in what he had to say about his
experiences in Scientology."
From Joe Cisar in Washington, DC:
"I started out at 9:30. One side of my sign, in very large letters, said
DOUBLE CROSS along with a symbol which looked similar to the Scientology
cross. The other side was my good old reliable TRUTH IS FREE, RELIGION IS
FREE, SCIENTOLOGY IS *NOT* FREE. The first Scientologist to greet me from
the 'Org' was an apprentice and her handler. What they are being taught to
speak is, 'Have you ever *read* a book about Scientology?' She asked that
question really well. Her trainer should have been proud of her. I hope
she got a big 'win.' After a while there were a couple of Scientology guys
I recognized from before, but this time their TR's were 'out.' They looked
like they had hangovers. 'Have you ever *read* a book on Scientology'.
Finally came the man who I used to refer to as the gray-haired gentleman.
Either he has a Scientology 'button' on the word 'moron,' or he thinks I
do! He called me 'moron' repeatedly, but let me ask you something.
"When I was getting ready to go home, the local 'OT' (white man with dark
hair and a mustache, late thirties, carrying a phone on his belt, red
Starky's coffee shirt) came out and honored me with his presence. What he
had been taught so speak was, 'Have you ever *read* a book on
Scientology?' and 'Why are you wasting your time?'"
From Wes Fager in DC:
"Joe Cesar picketed solo in the morning. Second shift consisted of me and
Arnie, plus a virgin picketer named Vree. We marched from 1400 - 1730. It
just so happens that the Christian coalition was holding its convention
down the street. We got many thumbs up from conventioneers. As in my last
picket, none of the DC regulars were allowed to speak to us. But two new
guys played Mutt and Jeff on Mr. Vree. Mutt seemed to come out of nowhere
and intensely read all of Mr. Vree's fliers and then seemed to ask genuine
questions of interest. Jeff came right out of the building and was openly
and verbally hostile. The case team ignored Arnie and me and I felt sorry
for Me. Vree."
From Gregg Hagglund in Toronto:
"Several hundred people today heard the wonderful news, delivered at Tone
40, repeatedly, that Big Al Buttnor, self styled 'Reverend' of the Toronto
Org who had been arrested, jailed, and investigated by Edmonton Police as
a PEDOPHILE, had been released due to insufficient evidence and the
charges were dismissed. As could be verified by the Edmonton Sun. We are
all relieved 'Uncle kissyface' Al had escaped a gross miscarriage of
justice."
From "AndroidCat" in Toronto:
"Scientology members at today's picket accepted *Minton* money! They tried
the lamebrain tactic of going to the restaurant while we were stowing
signs at lunchbreak, and grabbing scattered tables to make sure we
couldn't all sit together. Too bad for them Gregg's SP tech was too much
for them--he thought of the most juvenile stunt CoS could pull at lunch,
and reserved a whole section of tables in the morning, and *bingo*, he was
right!
"So they all ended up grouped at a single table. While they were relaxing,
BoB used his SP wiles learned from Germans and arranged with the waitress
to pick up the cheque. So they they'll be full of suppressive food for the
next couple of days. "
From Keith Henson in San Jose:
"I go there at 8:40 this morning. There were 8 cars in the parking lot, so
I expect that those belong to the people on the 'fire watch' who live in
the org. The folks who are showing up at the org now are largely ones who
have been there a considerable length of time. The org sent out one 27
year in scn dude who would not identify himself for fear of being made fun
of on the net. While he was talking to me a *psychology* student came
along and stayed for about an hour, curious about the psychological
aspects of our favorite cult. While I was talking to the scn and the
psych student, Brent Stone came along and started picketing. The scn gave
up and went back in after saying that he knows all the scns who have
picketed my house and (he says) that none of them have been shaken by the
experience. About 11 am Jim W. joined the picket, so I left them, and put
in a short picket at the mission over on Winchester.
"There was a short picket at my house this morning which the neighbors
reported as one of the more inept pickets they have seen. They left before
I got back shortly after noon."
From David Alexander in Dallas:
"I arrived at 5:00pm, to cover the transition from course room time to the
event. After course let out, several people sat out on the front porch for
idle chat. The people driving by cheering me had to ring in the
Scientologists' ears for several seconds. People were literally shouting
encouragement to me. Shouts of 'I agree with you!' carried across to the
members, creating an entheta environment. In the course of two hours,
three people parked their cars and came up to talk to me. They had seen me
picket this summer in 106-degree weather and wondered where I had gone. An
increasing number of drivers-by honk or yell their agreement, and hold
their fist up.
"One old-timer, a woman, thought she would do an incognito bullbait on
me--pretending she was a curious public. She asked me why I claimed
'Scientology is Fraud'. I popped the test question, 'Are you a
Scientologist?' She could not deny it. She drove on in for the event. Her
'scolding mom' valence was exposed and I think she had to perceive that
her's was a contrived gesture to make me wrong.
"Today again, a squad car drove by and talked with me for a few minutes.
They asked me about Scientology and my grievance with them. I mentioned
some provocation and exaggerated reports by the Scientologists some time
back, and they assured me there was nothing to worry about. It's very
rewarding to me to know the police are weighted on the side challenging
Scientology, regarding credibility of the issues."
From Bruce Pettycrew in Mesa, Arizona:
"Auditor's Day drew a big crowd in Mesa, as well as a good picket. Deana
Holmes was in town and joined Jeff Jacobsen, a friend of of Jeff's (who
took pictures), Kathy and myself - 5 wogs at cause. We worked the street
from 5:30 to 6:30, then had an SP dinner. There was a peak car-count of
39 vehicles, including vans for Rescue Rooter and some kind of insect
control named Bugger Off, or some such. Besides the impressive display of
professions, the Co$ members showed their class by nearly running down
some of our party from behind, while turning into the Borg parking lot.
There was an ASU football game 5 miles down the road, traffic was very
heavy and very supportive of the anti-Co$ sentiment."
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Celebrities
The Associated Press reports that the National Enquirer was denied
permission to ask Lisa Marie Presley questions about Scientology in her
lawsuit against them.
"National Enquirer attorneys cannot probe Lisa Marie Presley's
relationship with the Church of Scientology in the defamation and invasion
of privacy lawsuit she filed against the supermarket tabloid, a judge
ruled. Presley filed suit against the National Enquirer in 1997, claiming
a story titled 'Lisa Marie Suicide Drama' was filled with untruths. The
tabloid's June 17, 1997, article said Presley tried to kill herself and
performed self-mutilation, drawing blood from her body and scrawling,
'Nobody loves me' and 'I'm ugly' on her arms.
"'They sought to invade her personal relationship with the Church of
Scientology. The court ruled that area was out of bounds,' Petrocelli
said, adding the ruling was a significant victory for the plaintiff."
From Star Magazine:
"Nicole Kidman has asked Lisa Marie Presley to stay away from her husband
Tom Cruise. They're all Scientologists and Lisa has been turning to Tom
for advice and guidance. Lisa has made it known that she'd like to find a
man who's involved in Scientology and Nicole fears she's getting way too
friendly with Tom. Just last year another Scientologist, Kelly Preston,
had to warn Lisa to please stay away from her husband John Travolta."
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Switzerland
1998 News-Window Switzerland reports that Basel, Switzerland has made
Scientology and other deceptive recruitment methods illegal.
"According to the new Basel criminal code a fine can be levied, or in
repeat cases confinement can be imposed upon anybody who 'recruits or is
trying to recruit passersby on public land using deceptive or unfair
methods.' The police have a right to tell people to move on if signs exist
that 'illicit, especially deceptive or otherwise unfair methods are being
used or if passersby are being bothered in an inappropriate manner.'
"Justice Director Hans Martin Tschudi had previously stated that freedom
of opinion and pluralism are important characteristics of a democracy. The
inner city is a suitable forum for those items. When an outside interest
is being served, the the democratic state sets boundaries. The misuse of a
right does not merit protection. The Basel criminal code does not prevent
legitimate activity and is relative. Neither is it a one-time law and is
not a Scientology law. The criminal code was worked out after the Basel
Great Council had requested measures be taken in connection with the
recruitment activities of Scientology in 1996. It had demanded the
prohibition of 'aggressive' and 'suggestive' recruitment of new members of
sects on public land. Similar endeavors are underway in the cantons of
Geneva and Waadt."
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Zenon Pannoussis
Zenon Panoussis lost his case in Swedish court this week. From The
Associated Press:
"A Swedish court on Monday ordered a man to stop spreading a copyrighted
Church of Scientology training manual on the Internet and ordered him to
pay the church more than $150,000. The legal battle between the
controversial church and Zenon Panoussis has attracted the attention of
the United States, with U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky
saying Sweden's law on open public records violates international
copyright law. The court ordered Panoussis to repay the church's Religious
Technology Center court costs of about $150,000 and another $1,250 in
fines."
From Dagens Nyheter:
"It cost Zenon Panoussis over a million Swedish kronor to make the most
secret materials of the Church of Scientology public. He spread the
material via the Internet and by copying it, and also by handing it in to
various Swedish public agencies, thus making the material public. But
Stockholm's tingsratt [the local court of Stockholm city] says that he did
not have the right to do so, it is the Church of Scientology through the
Religious Technology Center (RTC) that has the rights to the material.
"The court says, after hearing a large number of people, that Panoussis
has infringed on copyrighted material, and that part of the material is
covered by the secrecy laws. The RTC has asked for costs amounting to a
total of over seven million SEK ($1,000,000) but the court finds that the
church has put too much effort into the process, with among other things
several trips across the Atlantic. Still, Panoussis is sentenced to paying
1.2 million SEK plus interest."
Zenon reacted to the judgment:
"The ruling against me this afternoon was pretty solid. I did find a
couple of ridiculous logical flaws, but if these flaws had not been there
the end result would have been just the same. In other words, the judges
did put in a good work in producing a solid ruling and succeeded at it. I
surely don't agree with them in their assessment of the legal situation in
whole - how could I? - but I can't just wave away the ruling as I did with
the previous one. This makes an appeal all the more difficult: I would
need to work a lot to get the court of appeals to overrule this one, and I
don't like to work.
"I'll appeal. Maybe to win and maybe to make them spend. I don't need to
pay any costs for past or present litigation. I own nothing but debts."
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-end-
A.r.s. Week in Review is put together by Rod Keller ©
This collection is organised for WWW by Andreas Heldal-Lund.
Only edits done by me is replacing word encapsuled in * or _ with bold and underscore, and made links into HTML.
